Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02160048 2005-05-25
SETTING TOOL FOR SETTING A HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED
DOWNHOLE TOOL
,
~IELD OF THE INVENTION
The field of this invention relates to downhole tools, particularly setting
tools for hydraulic liners and, more particularly, setting tools adaptable to
actuate
hydraulic liner hangers in deviated wellbores.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typically, liners are used below casing in wellbores to extend the casing.
A liner is a section of casing that is suspended downhole in existing casing.
In
rriost cases it extends downwardly into open hole and overlaps the existing
casing
by approximately 200-400 ft. The liner is sometimes cemented in place. - In
the
past, hydraulic liner hangers have been preferred by operators in deviated
wellbores-
over mechanical liner hangers: This is because the deviation in the wellbore
makes
it less certain that the hanger mechanism will be properly actuated in a
deviated
wellbore. Instead, well operators in deviated weilbores have preferred the
hydrau-
lically set liner hangers. In prior designs the liner with a setting tool
would be
lowered into position and pressure within the setting tool would be used to
set the
hydraulic liner hanger through a lateral port therein. In prior designs the
flow
passage through the setting tool would have to be obstructed at its lowermost
end
so that applied pressure in the setting tool would properly reach the
hydraulic liner
hanger. The obstruction for the. setting tool would have to be near the bottom
to
allow a cement wiper plug the ability to pass completely through the setting
tool
and liner to remove residual cement therefrom. Alternatively, if the residual
cement were not removed, cutting or grinding operations would have to be under-
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2160048
taken to remove any excess cement within the liner. Since a lateral port to
the
hydraulic liner hanger remained open in prior designs, an additional trip into
the
wellbore was necessary, subsequent to the setting of the hydraulic liner
hanger, to
properly position a setting tool for subsequent actuation of other downhole
equip-
ment attached to the liner, such as an external casing packer.
The operations involving prior_ designs lengthened the time required to
complete the placement and cementing of a liner. Accordingly, the apparatus
and
method of the present invention were developed to improve techniques for
setting
hydraulic liner hangers. At the same time, the apparatus and method of the
present
invention were developed to allow in one operation the setting of the liner
hanger
while at the same time providing a clear path through the setting tool to
allow the
passage of cement wipers if the liner is cemented so that in one operation,
the
hydraulic liner hanger can be set and the liner cemented, as well as setting
any
casing or isolation packers attached to the liner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTTON
A setting tool allows setting a hydraulic liner hanger in a deviated wellbore.
Subsequent to setting the liner hanger through pressure developed within the
setting
tool, the setting tool is reconfigured to allow full-bore passage
therethrough. In
the preferred embodiment, the flow communication to the liner hanger is inter-
rupted after it is set so that the setting tool can have a full-bore clearance
for
passage of cement wipers or other devices and that pressure can then be
applied
in the setting tool to complete the cementing operations for the liner, as
well as to
actuate any casing or isolation packers.
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CA 02160048 2007-06-29
Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
setting tool for setting at least one hydraulically actuated downhole tool,
comprising:
a body having a bore therethrough and a lateral opening selectively open or
closed for selective flow or pressure communication between said bore and a
hydraulically actuated tool; and
obstruction means in said bore for selective receipt of an obstructing
element for complete obstruction by virtue of contact therewith to allow
pressurization of the hydraulically actuated tool through said lateral
opening, said
obstruction means selectively movable from a first position to a second
position in
said bore to provide, in said second position, a substantially unobstructed
passage
in said bore, wherein movement of said obstruction means from said first
position
toward said second position actuates a change in orientation of said open or
closed
lateral opening and wherein actuation of said obstruction means from said
first
position to said second position shifts a sleeve, mounted on said body and
having
a lateral port thereon, from a first position where said opening and said port
are
aligned for fluid communication to a second position where said opening and
said
port are misaligned to prevent fluid communication.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
hydraulic setting tool for a liner hanger used to attach a liner to casing,
comprising:
a body having a bore therethrough;
a movable sleeve movable between a first and second position having a
lateral port which is selectively positioned in alignment and misalignment of
a
lateral opening on said body, in said first and second positions,
respectively;
external seals on said body on either side of said lateral port and contacting
said liner hanger; and
a movable member supported by said sleeve and movable with respect to
said sleeve between a first position and a second position;
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said movable member in said first position capable of obstructing said bore
in said body to allow pressure buildup to the liner hanger through said
lateral
opening;
said movable member when moved to its said second position by moving
said sleeve toward its said second position causes said misalignment between
said
lateral port and said lateral opening while presenting a substantially
unobstructed
path in said bore of said body.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
method of hanging a liner, comprising:
suspending a liner on a setting tool having a body;
inserting the liner having a hydraulically actuated hanger into preexisting
casing in a wellbore;
fully closing off a bore in the setting tool;
applying pressure into the bore of the setting tool;
communicating said applied pressure through the body of said setting tool
to said hydraulically actuated hanger;
setting said hanger against the casing;
opening said bore in said setting tool; and
closing pressure communication from said bore in said setting tool to said
hanger through said body of said setting tool, as a result of said opening
said bore
step, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:
dropping a ball onto a seat in a movable member to accomplish said
closing off;
guiding said movable member to translate when a predetermined pressure
is exceeded; and
breaking a frangible member to allow said translation.
According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is
provided a method of setting a downhole tool, comprising:
suspending a downhole tool on a setting tool;
inserting the downhole tool having a hydraulically actuated mechanism
into a wellbore;
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CA 02160048 2007-06-29
closing off a bore in the setting tool;
applying pressure into the bore of the setting tool;
communicating said applied pressure through the body of said setting tool
to said hydraulically actuated mechanism;
dropping a ball onto a seat in a movable member to accomplish said
closing off;
guiding said movable member to translate when a predetermined pressure
is exceeded;
breaking a frangible member to allow said translation;
unlocking the movable member to rotate after a predetermined translation;
initiating rotation of said movable member after said translation;
aligning a bore in said movable member with said bore in said setting tool
due to said rotation;
setting said downhole tool;
opening said bore in said setting tool; and
closing pressure communication from said bore in said setting tool to said
hydraulically actuated mechanism through said body of said setting tool, as a
result of said opening said bore step.
According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is
provided a method of setting at least one downhole tool, comprising:
suspending a first downhole tool on a setting tool;
inserting said first downhole tool having a hydraulically actuated
mechanism into preexisting casing in a wellbore;
closing off a bore in the setting tool;
applying pressure into the bore of the setting tool;
communicating said applied pressure through the body of said setting tool
to said hydraulically actuated mechanism;
setting said mechanism;
opening said bore in said setting tool;
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closing pressure communication from said bore in said setting tool to said
mechanism through said body of said setting tool, as a result of said opening
said
bore step;
suspending a wash tool on said setting tool during said insertion of said
liner;
repositioning said wash tool adjacent a second downhole tool after said
opening said bore step;
setting said second downhole tool with a fluid; and
removing the setting and wash tools from said wellbore.
According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is
provided a setting tool for setting at least one hydraulically actuated
downhole
tool, comprising:
a body having a bore therethrough and a lateral opening selectively open or
closed for selective flow or pressure communication between said bore and a
hydraulically actuated tool;
obstruction means in said bore for selective obstruction thereof to allow
pressurization of the hydraulically actuated tool through said lateral
opening, said
obstruction means selectively movable from a first position to a second
position in
said bore to provide, in said second position, a substantially unobstructed
passage
in said bore;
actuation of said obstruction means from said first toward said second
position actuates a change in orientation of said open or closed lateral
opening;
actuation of said obstruction means from said first to said second position
shifts a sleeve mounted on said body and having a lateral port thereon, from a
first
position, where said opening and said port are aligned for fluid
communication, to
a second position, where said opening and said port are misaligned to prevent
fluid communication; and
a wash tool connected to said body below said obstruction means and in
fluid communication with said bore, whereupon placement of said sleeve in said
second position additional hydraulically actuated tools can be actuated
through
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CA 02160048 2007-06-29
applied pressure through said bore in said body through said wash tool without
need to remove said body from the wellbore.
According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is
provided a setting tool for setting at least one hydraulically actuated
downhole
tool, comprising:
a body having a bore therethrough and a lateral opening selectively open or
closed for selective flow or pressure communication between said bore and a
hydraulically actuated tool;
obstruction means in said bore for selective obstruction thereof to allow
pressurization of the hydraulically actuated tool through said lateral
opening, said
obstruction means selectively movable from a first position to a second
position in
said bore to provide, in said second position, a substantially unobstructed
passage
in said bore;
actuation of said obstruction means from said first toward said second
position actuates a change in orientation of said open or closed lateral
opening;
actuation of said obstruction means from said first to said second position
shifts a sleeve mounted on said body and having a lateral port thereon, from a
first
position, where said opening and said port are aligned for fluid
communication, to
a second position, where said opening and said port are misaligned to prevent
fluid communication;
said obstruction means further comprising:
a movable member having a first bore and a second bore and a seat
circumscribing said first bore;
a valve member shaped to conform to said seat to obstruct said first bore
when in contact with said seat;
said movable member, in a first position, having said first bore in
substantial alignment with said bore in said body.
According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is
provided a setting tool for setting at least one hydraulically actuated
downhole
tool, comprising:
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a body having a bore therethrough and a lateral opening selectively open or
closed for selective flow or pressure communication between said bore and a
hydraulically actuated tool;
obstruction means in said bore for selective obstruction thereof to allow
pressurization of the hydraulically actuated tool through said lateral
opening, said
obstruction means selectively movable from a first to a second position in
said
bore to provide, in said second position, a substantially unobstructed passage
in
said bore;
actuation of said obstruction means from said first toward said second
position actuates a change in orientation of said open or closed lateral
opening;
actuation of said obstruction means from said first to said second position
shifts a sleeve mounted on said body and having a lateral port thereon, from a
first
position, where said opening and said port are aligned for fluid
communication, to
a second position, where said opening and said port are misaligned to prevent
fluid communication;
external seals on said body spinning said lateral opening for contact with
the hydraulically actuated downhole tool; and
relief means for relieving, at least in part, pressure trapped between said
external seals after said sleeve to its said second position.
According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is
provided a method of hanging a liner, comprising:
suspending a liner on a setting tool;
inserting the liner having a hydraulically actuated hanger into preexisting
casing in a wellbore;
closing off a bore in the setting tool;
dropping a ball onto a seat in a movable member to accomplish said
closing off;
applying pressure into the bore of the setting tool;
communicating said applied pressure through the body of said setting tool
to said hydraulically actuated hanger;
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setting said hanger against the casing;
guiding said movable member to translate when a predetermined pressure
is exceeded;
breaking a frangible member to allow said translation;
unlocking the movable member to rotate after a predetermined translation;
initiating rotation of said movable member after said translation;
aligning a bore in said movable member with said bore in said setting tool
due to said rotation;
opening said bore in said setting tool; and
closing pressure communication from said bore in said setting tool to said
hanger through said body of said setting tool, as a result of said opening
said bore
step.
According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is
provided a setting tool for setting at least one hydraulically actuated
downhole
tool, comprising:
a body having a bore therethough and a lateral opening selectively open or
closed for selective flow or pressure communication between said bore and a
hydraulically actuated tool;
obstruction means in said bore for selective obstruction thereof to allow
pressurization of the hydraulically actuated tool through said lateral
opening, said
obstruction means selectively movable from a first to a second position in
said
bore to provide, in said second position, a substantially unobstructed passage
in
said bore;
actuation of said obstruction means from said first toward said second
position actuates a change in orientation of said open or closed lateral
opening;
actuation of said obstruction means from said first to said second position
shifts a sleeve mounted on said body and having a lateral port thereon, from a
first
position, where said opening and said port are misaligned preventing fluid
communication, to a second position, where said opening and said port are
aligned
for fluid communication.
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According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is
provided a method of hanging a liner, comprising:
suspending a liner on a setting tool;
inserting the liner having a hydraulically actuated hanger into preexisting
casing in a wellbore;
closing off a bore in the setting tool;
applying pressure into the bore of the setting tool;
communicating said applied pressure through the body of said setting tool
to said hydraulically actuated hanger;
setting said hanger against the casing;
opening said bore in said setting tool;
closing pressure communication from said bore in said setting tool to said
hanger through said body of said setting tool, as a result of said opening
said bore
step;
trapping pressure between said setting tool and said hanger from said
closing pressure communication step;
moving a piston to expand a trapped volume between said setting tool and
said hanger; and
reducing trapped pressure by said piston movement.
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According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is
provided a method of setting a downhole tool, comprising:
suspending a downhole tool on a setting tool;
inserting the downhole tool having a hydraulically actuated mechanism
into a wellbore;
closing off a bore in the setting tool;
applying pressure into the bore of the setting tool;
communicating said applied pressure through the body of said setting tool
to said hydraulically actuated mechanism;
dropping a ball onto a seat in a movable member to accomplish said
closing off;
guiding said movable member to translate when a predetermined pressure
is exceeded;
breaking a frangible member to allow said translation;
unlocking the movable member to rotate after a predetermined translation;
initiating rotation of said movable member after said translation;
aligning a bore in said movable member with said bore in said setting tool
due to said rotation;
setting said downhole tool;
opening said bore in said setting tool; and
closing pressure communication from said bore in said setting tool to said
hydraulically actuated mechanism through said body of said setting tool, as a
result of said opening said bore step.
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According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is
provided a method of hanging a liner, comprising:
suspending a liner on a setting tool;
inserting the liner having a hydraulically actuated hanger into preexisting
casing in a wellbore;
closing off a bore in the setting tool;
applying pressure into the bore of the setting tool;
communicating said applied pressure through the body of said setting tool
to said hydraulically actuated hanger;
setting said hanger against the casing;
opening said bore in said setting tool;
closing pressure communication from said bore in said setting tool to said
hanger through said body of said setting tool, as a result of said opening
said bore
step;
suspending a wash tool on said setting tool during said insertion of said
liner;
repositioning said wash tool adjacent a downhole tool after said opening
said bore step;
setting said downhole tool with a fluid; and
removing the setting and wash tools from said liner.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Figures lA-1D are an exterior elevational view of a liner assembly, illus-
trating the use of the hydraulic liner hanger as well as casing and isolation
packers.
Figures 2A-2C are a schematic elevational view of an assembly of setting
accessories, which include in the assembly the apparatus of the present
invention.
Figures 3A-3G illustrate the portion of the setting tool involving the appara-
tus and method of the present invention in the run-in position.
Figures 4A-4G illustrate the tool of Figure 3 in the shifted position with the
hydraulic liner set.
Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 3.
Figure 7 is a detail of a wall section shown in Figures 2B and 3B, illustrat-
ing the pressure-equalization feature of the preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The apparatus A is illustrated in detail in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 2B illus-
trates how the apparatus A fits in as a component of a series of setting
accessories,
all of which will be described below. To illustrate the operation of the
apparatus
A, a typical assembly of components for setting a liner will be described, as
shown
in Figure 1. Those skilled in the art will understand that the apparatus A can
be
employed with other installations and that the component assembly illustrated
in
Figure 1 is for illustrative purposes only. Beginning at the uppermost end, a
liner
setting sleeve, such as Baker HR model, product No. 295-26, is indicated by
10.
The setting sleeve 10 is connected to a Baker H isolation packer 12,
preferably
product No. 281-02. Thereafter, a casing joint or joints 14 are employed and
such
joint or joints 14 support an indicating sub 16. Casing collar 18 connects sub
16
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to rotating hydraulic flex-lock liner hanger, such as Baker Oil Tools product
No.
292-51, indicated by 20. Below liner hanger 20 is casing packer 22, preferably
Baker Oil Tools product No. 301-09. Packer 22 is connected to indicating sub
24,
which in turn can support another casing packer 26, which can be identical to
casing packer 22 or a different design. Below casing packer 26 is an
indicating
sub 28. Ultimately, indicating sub 28 is connected to landing collar 30,
preferably
Baker Oil Tools product No. 274-10. Landing collar 30 is connected to float
collar with baffle 32, preferably Baker Oil Tools product No. 999-03. The
float
collar 32 is in turn connected to a set shoe 34, preferably Baker Oil Tools
product
No. 999-03.
The apparatus A of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 2B. In Fig-
ures 2A-2C, it is part of an assembly of tools used for the setting of the
liner
hanger 20, as well as the setting of packers 12, 22, and 26. The assembly
illus-
trated in Figures 2A-2C comprises a lift nipple 36, preferably Baker Oil Tools
product No. 265-20, which is in turn connected to a liner setting tool, a
portion of
which is the apparatus A. The liner setting too138 has a release portion,
preferably
Baker Oil Tools product No. 266-66. Below the apparatus A of the present
invention, as illustrated in Figure 2C, is a wash tool 40, which is in turn
connected
to an indicator collet 42. A model E Baker Oil Tools wash tool may be used for
item 40. A "wash tool" is intended to include all types of packing setting
tools or
other sealing devices. Below the indicator collet 42 is ball seat 44, followed
by
expansion joint 46 and fluted centralizer 48.
Referring now to Figures 3A-3G, the operation of setting the liner hanger
20, shown in Figure 1B, using the apparatus in the setting string illustrated
in
Figures 2A-2C, will now be described. Those skilled in the art will appreciate
that
the setting assembly shown in Figures 2A-2C is inserted within the liner
assembly
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2160048
illustrated in Figures lA-1D for actuation of the liner hanger 20. One of the
features of the apparatus A is the selective communication from internal bore
50
(see Figure 3C) to the liner hanger 20. In Figures 3A-3G, the inner wall 52 of
liner 20 is illustrated to show juxtaposition when the apparatus A is inserted
within
the assembly illustrated in Figures lA-1D. Inner wall 52 has a port 54 which
communicates with the actuating mechanism for the slips in the liner hanger
20.
As seen in Figure 3C, there is fluid communication to liner hanger 20 in the
run-in
position of the apparatus A illustrated in Figures 3A-3G. This fluid communica-
tion occurs through previously mentioned port 54 in the housing of the liner
hanger
20 and continues into cavity 56. Cavity 56 is defined by the inner wall 52,
upper
cups 58 and 60, lower cups 62 and 64, and the outer surface of the apparatus A
which is made up of composite sections as will be described below. The cups 58-
64 are made of resilient materials. The cup-shaped seals 58 and 60 are secured
to upper connection 66. Upper connection 66 is threaded to facilitate its
connec-
tion to liner setting tool 38 (see Figure 2A). Upper connection 66 threadedly
engages stop ring 68 at thread 70. Set screw 72 secures the engagement at
thread
70. Upper seal 60 rests on a shoulder on ring 209 (see Figure 7). Thimble 76
secures seal 60 against shoulder 74, with the engagement being further sealed
off
against upper connection 66 by 0-ring 78. A spacer 80 separates seals 58 and
60,
while thimble 82, in conjunction with 0-ring 84, sealingly engages seal 58
against
spacer 80. Stop ring 68, when threaded on thread 70, secures the entire
assembly
previously described to the upper connection 66. At the lower end, as shown in
Figures 3F and 3G, the mounting system for seals 62 and 64 is nearly identical
except that seal 60 is retained by ring 209 and the seals 62 and 64 are
inverted as
compared to the position of seals 58 and 60. Additionally, seals 62 and 64 are
secured to lower connection 86 (see Figures 2B, 3F and 3G).
5
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2160048
The connection between the upper connection 66 and lower connection 86
is completed by a series of sleeves. Tension nut 88 (see Figures 3B and 3C) is
a
sleeve which is secured to upper connection 66 at thread 90, with set screw 92
securing the connection. Sleeve 94 is engaged to tension nut 88 at thread 96,
with
set screw 98 securing the connection. At its lower end, sleeve 94 is secured
to
lower connection 86 at thread 100, with set screw 102 securing the connection.
Accordingly, the connections between upper connection 66 and lower connection
86 have been fully described, thus now defining cavity 56, which extends
between
seals 60 and 62 at its upper and lower extremities, and outwardly to liner
hanger
20 at its inner wall 52 and inwardly to the assembled combination of upper con-
nection 66, tension nut 88, sleeve 94, and lower connection 86. It should be
noted
that seal 58 backs up seal 60, while seal 64 backs up seal 62 in the run-in
position.
Referring now to the internal component assembly located within tension nut
88, ball guide 104 is secured between shoulder 106 on tension nut 88 and lower
end 108 of upper connection 66. Trip ball lock 110 overlays ball guide 104 and
is engaged to it at thread 112. By virtue of the threaded connection 112, the
position of ball guide 104 is fixed against shoulder 106. Trip ball lock 110
is
. sealed against tension nut 88 by 0-ring 114. 0-ring 116 seals between the
trip
ball lock 110 and upper ball support 118. 0-ring 120 seals between tension nut
88 and trip ball lock 110 just below lateral port 122, extending through
tension nut
88. Trip ball lock 110 has at least one port 124 which is in alignment with at
least
one port 122 on tension nut 88 in the run-in position as shown in Figure 3C.
Ball
guide 104 has a lateral port 126 which is in alignment with ports 122 and 124
in
the run-in position shown in Figure 3C. Seals 130 and 132 do not seal in the
run-
in position. However, seals 130 and 132 seal against upper ball support 118 in
the
shifted position shown in Figure 4. Seal 134 seals between trip ball lock 110
and
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2i600~g
upper ball support 118. Seal 136 seals between the lower end of upper ball
support
118 and trip ball 138, as shown in Figure 3D. Finally, ball guide 104 has a
port
140 which allows fluid communication into cavity 142. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that pressure applied to bore 50 will exert itself in cavity
142 as
well as cavity 56 due to the aligned openings 122 and 124 (see Figure 3C). It
can
further be seen that the pressure applied in bore 50 is channeled to cavity 56
due
to the presence of 0-rings 116, 120, 130 and 132, which prevent the applied
pressure from escaping in other directions.
A spring 144 bears on shoulder 146 of tension nut 88, as shown in Figure
3D. The other end of the spring 144 bears on upper ball support 118 at
shoulder
148. Upper ball support 118 has a spherical lower surface 150, which is
sealingly
engaged to spherical surface 152 of trip ball 138, with seal 136 disposed
therebe-
tween. As shown in Figure 3D, the trip ball lock 110 has a lower end 154
which,
in the run-in position, extends beyond upper ball support 118, thus
effectively
preventing trip ball 138 from rotating about an axis passing through
coordinate
,point 157 and extending perpendicular to the drawing. For ease in describing
the
ultimate movement of trip ball 138, the two axes in the plane of the drawing
have
been labeled as X and Y (see Figures 3D and 3E). As previously mentioned, the
third axis, which can be considered the Z axis, extends perpendicular to the X
and
Y axes indicated in Figures 3D and 3E.
Trip ball 138 has a spherical surface 156 at its lower end, which abuts a
mating spherical surface 158 on lower ball support 160. Lower ball support 160
is retained to lower connection 86 by virtue of a shear screw 162 extending
into
groove 164 in lower ball support 160. Shear screw 162 also extends into shear
ring 166 which is prevented from downward movement due to its engagement to
upper end 168 of lower connection 86. Accordingly, in the run-in position,
shear
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2160048
screw or screws 162 retain lower ball support 160 in a fixed position, in tum
supporting trip ball 138 and upper ball support 118. Spring 144 pushes that
assembly downwardly and the force applied by spring 144 is resisted by the
shear
screw or screws 162.
Nested within lower ball support 160 is trip arm 170. Trip arm 170 is
supported on ring 166. Trip arm 170 has an upper surface 172 which extends
through a notch 174 on lower ball support 160, as best seen in Figure 5.
Accord-
ingly, upon shearing of shear screw or screws 162, the assembly of the lower
ball
support 160, trip ball 138, and upper ball support 118 can translate
downwardly
along the X axis until such time as surface 172 engages trip ball 138. The
engage-
ment of surface 172 with trip ball 138 initiates a rotational movement about
an axis
Z, perpendicular to axes X and Y.
In order to initiate such movements, a ball 176 is dropped from the surface
until it seats against seat 178 on trip ball 138, effectively closing off port
180 in
trip ball 138. Because the upper ball support 118 is sealingly engaged to the
trip
ball 138 in the run-in position, pressure applied in bore 50 once ball 176
seats on
seat 178 results in a downward pressure along the X axis applied to
substantially
all of spherical surface 152. The pressure acting to shear shear screw 162
will be
seen by a piston created by 0-ring 134. At the same time, the pressure build-
up
in bore 50 above ball 176 communicates through cavity 56 to the hydraulic
liner
hanger 20 illustrated in Figure 1. That applied pressure initially sets the
hydraulic
liner hanger 20. Upon further increase in pressure applied from the surface
onto
surface 152 with ball 176 seated on seat 198, a sufficient force is ultimately
generated to shear screw or screws 162. Thereafter, trip ball 138 translates
along
the X axis until spherical surface 152 clears lower end 154 of trip ball lock
110.
It should be noted that rotational movements about the X axis are prevented by
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2160048
bars 182 and 184. The positioning of bars 182 and 184 can best be seen by
looking at Figure 5. In Figure 5, the X axis is perpendicular to the drawing,
while
the X and Z axes are displayed. The trip ball 138 has a pair of opposed flats
186
and 188 which are respectively presented in opposition to bars 182 and 184. As
shown in Figures 3D and 3E, bars 182 and 184 span between lower ball support
160 and upper ball support 118. By their position on either side of the X axis
from
trip ball 138, rotation of trip ball 138 about the X axis is prevented
throughout the
duration of the translational movement of the assembly of the upper ball
support
118, trip ball 138, and lower ball support 160. Eventually, trip ball 138
clears the
lower end 154 of trip ball lock 110, and spherical surface 156 engages upper
surface 172 of trip arm 170. Since trip arm 170 is retained against downward
movement along the X axis by ring 166, the nature of the offcenter engagement
of
trip ball 138 with upper surface 172 begins a rotational movement about the Z
axis
as the assembly of the upper ball support 118, the trip ball 138, and the
lower ball
support 160 continue its downward movement along the X axis. It should be
noted
that trip ball 138 has a full port bore 190, which is aligned with the Y axis
in the
run-in position, as shown in Figure 3D. As soon as the trip ball 138 initiates
its
counterclockwise rotation after coming into contact with upper surface 172 of
trip
arm 170, the rotational movement of trip ball 138 continues until it has made
a 90
revolution into the position shown in Figure 4E. At that time, the trip arm
170
extends into bore 192. Bore 192 is transverse in the X-Y plane to bore 190. It
is the extension of trip arm 170 into bore 192 which effectively stops the
rotation
of trip ball 138 in the position shown in Figure 4E. At that time, bore 190 is
fully
in alignment with bore 50, giving a substantially clear passage through the
appara-
tus A for further steps as will be described below. This is because the
diameter of
bore 190 is almost as large as bore 50.
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It should be noted that as the assembly of the upper ball support 118, the
trip ball 138, and lower ball support 160 are translating downwardly, port 194
on
upper ball support 118 is moving out of alignment with port 124 on the
stationary
trip ball lock 110. Eventually, port 194 passes beyond 0-rings 130 and 132,
effectively sealing off the bore 50 through the apparatus A from lateral ports
122
and 124 which ultimately lead to cavity 56 and hydraulic liner hanger 20. This
closing of access to cavity 56 can be best seen by comparing Figures 3C to 4C.
Figure 4C indicates the upper ball support 118 in the shifted position such
that a
solid portion of upper ball support 118 is presented between seals 116 and
130.
As the trip ball 138 rotates counterclockwise from the position shown in
Figure 3D to the position shown in Figures 4D and 4E, the ball 176 becomes dis-
lodged from seat 178 and ultimately passes downhole through bore 190 after the
90 rotation takes place. In effect, the extension of trip arm 170 into bore
192 acts
as a rotational travel stop about the X axis for the trip ball 138 to stop the
move-
ment of trip ball 138 at the position shown in Figures 4D and 4E. In an
alternative
design, the ball 176 can remain in place on seat 178 as the trip ball rotates
if a
provision is made in trip ball 138 to accept ball 176 wholly within itself.
It should be noted that the spring 144 assists in downward translation along
the X axis of upper ball support 118 after screw or screws 162 are sheared.
The
ball guide 104 has a plurality of collet fmgers 196 which are pushed into
orienta-
tion to funnel ball 176 toward seat 178 for proper seating. When upper ball
support 118 shifts projection 198 is no longer pushed inwardly by upper ball
support 118 allowing collets 196 the freedom to flex radially outwardly to
their
relaxed state. Thereafter, collet fingers 196 have sprung aside when a cement
wiper plug passes therethrough as will be described below. A projection 198 is
provided on each of the collet fingers 196 to help them retain the position
shown
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in Figure 3D. Thereafter, after ball 176 has passed through bore 190, a cement
wiper plug merely passes beyond the relaxed collet fingers 196 due to
juxtaposition
of recessed surface 199 opposite projections 198.
Revised detail of upper connection 66 which allows for pressure-equaliza-
tion after actuation of trip ball 138, as previously described. In the
preferred
embodiment which is illustrated for the apparatus A in Figure 7, the upper
connec-
tion 66 has a port 201, which communicates with cavity 203. Cavity 203 is
formed
by a recess 205 machined into upper connection 66, terminating at thread 207.
Ring 209 is secured to upper connection 66 by thread 207. Therefore, cavity
203
is defined between ring 209 and upper connection 66. A piston 211 is movably
mounted in cavity 203 and is in sealing engagement with it through seals 213
and
215. The initial position of piston 211 is shown in Figure 7 and is so held by
virtue of a shear pin 217, which extends into piston 211. Ring 209 has a port
219
which communicates with the opposite end of piston 211, then cavity 203. Ring
209 is sealed against upper connection 66 by seal 214. Accordingly, after the
trip
ball 138 is actuated in the manner described above, the pressure is initially
trapped
in cavity 56. However, after the pressure is reduced in bore 50, a pressure
imbal-
ance occurs on piston 211 because the pressure in port 219 exceeds the
pressure
in cavity 203. Eventually the imbalance is of sufficient proportion to shear
pin 217
and displace piston 211 toward port 201. This creates a volume increase
effective-
ly in cavity 56 to a sufficient degree to release the trapped pressure therein
without
actual fluid communication from cavity 56 into bore 50.
Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, the entire procedure will be described in
detail. The initial step is to set the liner hanger 20 in the manner
previously
described. Initially, the setting string illustrated in Figure 2 is inserted
into the
liner string illustrated in Figure 1 and latched thereto at liner setting tool
38. Upon
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2160048
pressurization having seated ba11176, the liner hanger 20 actuates at
approximately
1200 lbs. of pressure. The pressure is further increased, causing a release
between
the setting string shown in Figure 2 and the liner string shown in Figure 1.
Further
pressure increases shear screws 162, allowing the trip ball 138 to rotate and
cavity
56 to be isolated from bore 50. Now with the same string of Figure 2 unlatched
from the liner string of Figure 1, but still physically located therein,
cement is
pumped down through the setting string of Figure 2 all the way through the
liner
string of Figure 1 until the cement exits from set shoe 34 and comes up in an
annular space between the liner string illustrated in Figure 1 and the
existing casing
in the wellbore from which the liner string of Figure 1 is hung at liner
hanger 20.
After the appropriate amount of cement has been pumped into the setting string
of
Figure 2, wiper plug 231 is dropped to pass through the setting string of
Figure 2
down to landing collar 30, where the first wiper plug 231 seats off. It should
be
noted that earlier when ball 176 passed through the trip ball 138, it later
catches
further down the liner assembly in Figure 1 adjacent float collar 32. Although
the
ball 176 is caught at float collar 32, it does not fully obstruct the passage
so that
cement can be pumped around ball 176. When the first wiper plug 231 catches on
landing collar 30, pressure builds up at the surface to indicate that this
event has
occurred. A small amount of drilling fluid is put in the wellbore behind the
first
wiper plug 231 and thereafter additional cement follows the second wiper plug
233.
The setting string in Figure 2 is raised until indicator collet 42 lands in
indicating
sub 28, which aligns the wash too140 with casing packer 26. The mud which was
pumped behind the first wiper plug 231 occupies the volume between the landing
collar 30 and indicating sub 28. Thereafter, the cement is pumped through the
wash too140 into casing packer 26 to inflate casing packer 26 up against the
open
hole or the existing casing (not shown). Thereafter, the wash tool 40 is
lifted to
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bring it into alignment with casing packer 22 by virtue of alignment of
indicator
collet 42 with indicating sub 24. Additional cement or other fluids are pumped
:to
inflate packer 22 in the same manner as packer 26. The wash tool 40 is then
further raised to bring it into alignment with packer 12 by virtue of
alignment of
indicator collet 42 with indicating sub 16. Again, the procedure is repeated
where
the cement or other fluids are used to inflate packer 12. The setting assembly
of
Figure 2 is then retracted from the liner assembly of Figure 1. Thereafter,
circula-
tion or reverse circulation from the surface can occur to remove any excess
cement
located above the liner assembly in Figure 1 or within the setting assembly of
Figure 2. The procedures described above can also be used for hanging liners
that
are not cemented.
The net result of this procedure is that in one continuous operation, the
liner
hanger 20 can be set, with the cementing operation beginning immediately
thereaf-
ter. With the lateral port to the liner hanger 20 isolated, pressurization can
take
place after setting the liner hanger 20 for accomplishing the cementing
operation.
Based on the steps described above, the end result is that at the conclusion
of the
cementing operation, the liner assembly of Figure 1 is fully cemented with all
packers set and its internal bore free of all cement. Thereafter, perforating
can take
place in the liner assembly of Figure 1 and the proper production packers and
production string installed in the customary manner to begin production
operations.
The procedures described above can also be used for hanging liners that are
not
cemented.
While an assembly has been described which facilitates the closing of a
lateral port to a liner hanger, it is within the scope of the invention to use
the
apparatus A of the present invention for other applications or to reverse the
move-
ments illustrated. For example, a lateral port 194 can be initially in the
closed
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position, i.e., on the opposite side of 0-ring 116 from the view of Figure 3C,
and
be shifted into the open position as a result of rotation of trip bal1138. The
setting
tool can be used to actuate other downhole devices than liner hangers, such as
packers, bridge plugs, etc. Alternatively, it is also within the scope of the
invention
to merely have the mechanism for actuating trip ball 138 to work independently
of
the opening and closing of an opening to allow fluid communication between
cavity 56 and bore 50. Stated differently, a slide valve can be manually
operated,
as opposed to triggered for automatic operation as described in the preferred
embodiment above.
Elements recited as one piece can be made of several pieces and vice versa.
Singular elements can appear multiply and vice versa such as shear screws,
parts,
0-rings, etc.
It should be noted by following the procedure described for the cementing,
where packers 26 and 22 are set in that order, the wash tool 40 wipes cement
out
of the liner string of Figure 1 as it is worked up the liner until it is
eventually
removed at the end after setting packer 12. This bottom-to-top setting
operation
facilitates the removal of excess cement from inside the liner assembly
illustrated
in Figure 1.
The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and
explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as
well
as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made without
departing
from the spirit of the invention.
baker\puon1s\313too1.app ss/sg
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